Five
ABOUT
Five towers and respective parceling of the plot was the request of the client.
Knowing that architecture is a play of geometry, it was intended to create consciousness beyond the forms and to follow what had to be expressed through insistent masses, proportions, lines, and colors. Energy uses the form to explore itself. Creation is the ultimate architecture and architecture is a recreation, incorporating naturally occurring patterns and rhythms of fascinating depth and beauty in a unique combination of surprising impact and uncommon simplicity.
Observing the site within Maputo, the first principle was to emphasize and give continuity to what it seems to be a prior intention of a green path surrounding the city. The second principle was to give prevalence to the magnificent views that the city offers to the river and sea. The third principle was to use the golden mean rectangle that originates from the proportions of the plot, to give birth to all proportions of the project. This way, harmony, unity, and integrity were created between the two main distinctive aspects of the project.
In the first aspect, the golden mean rectangle defined the radius of the circle that delimited the flower of life which gave birth to all the proportions of the forms on the lower levels. These are a multiplicity of platforms at different heights which create the interface of the surroundings with green space and diverse facilities.
The second aspect, above this interface, is the towers, for which the golden mean rectangle defined the proportions of the building, the flats and the balconies (the play of full and empty).
The last principle was to allow an immense multiplicity of typologies to be implemented in the building according to each client requirements. From a “city” studio to a penthouse with a sustainable vegetable garden…
Harmoniously following this vision, with a sense of focus and clarity, proportions for the structure and the modules of the apartments were defined so that they could be divided into pre-fabricated elements which can be used regardless of the typology chosen by the client.
Location:
Maputo, Mozambique
Project Year:
2016
Programme:
Mixed use, 5 Residential towers with 480 apartments, Commercial and parking area
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Team:
Tiago Vieira de Sousa
João Lopes
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